Practical
Plants

Fuchsia magellanica

Fuchsia

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Fuchsia genus in the family Onagraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Fuchsia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3.6 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw. A juicy berry[K], it is not very palatable[2][6].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Diuretic, febrifuge[12].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A black dye is obtained from the wood[12][13]. Very resistant of maritime exposure and tolerant of trimming it makes a good informal hedge in mild maritime areas[11][15][5]. The variety 'Riccartonii' is commonly used[8]. The cultivar 'Prostrata' forms a carpet of growth and can be used as a ground cover when planted about 60cm apart each way[9].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
S. America. - Peru and south to Tierra Del Fuego. Naturalized in S.W. England.
Habitat
Forest clearings and margins, especially in mixed evergreen/deciduous woods[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[8] though it can also be sown in the spring[1]. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out[8]. Germination should take place in less than 6 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long, May/June in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[78, K]. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[K]. Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[K].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1][8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers cool moist conditions and some shade[1][4]. Succeeds in a good loam if leafmold and sand are added[1]. This species is very resistant to maritime exposure, it can be grown right on the coast[15][5]. The top growth is hardy to about -10°c[7], this can be cut right back to the ground in severe winters but the plants usually recover well, growing away quickly in the late spring and flowering by late summer[8]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. The sub-species F. magellanica myrtifolia often bears a very large crop of fruit[K]. The cultivar 'Ricartonii' can be hardy fairly well north in Britain. A lovely specimen 3 metres tall was seen growing in dappled shade of trees in the Monastery Gardens in York[K]. A very ornamental plant, it is a parent of most of the hardy ornamental fuchsia varieties[1]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[10]. Plants are pollinated by humming birds in the wild, they are good bee plants in Britain[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

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  4. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

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  5. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

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  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  11. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

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  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  14. Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-904614-05-0

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  15. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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